As Executive Director of North County Lifeline, it takes a lot of meetings, driving, emails, and phone calls to keep a charitable organization funded and helping those most in need in our community. I am sometimes so busy that I forget to stop and think about the purpose of our work. A helping hand.

Earlier this year we shared with you the inauguration of our Young Parent Network (YPN). We had high hopes this program would provide life-changing support to teenage parents in Vista and Oceanside. Though we are still in the early stages, we wanted to share with you a few of the ways these hopes are already being realized.

This month we celebrate six women who have given a combined total of more than 3,000 hours of service to Lifelines' clients. These women are completing their Foundation Year Internships for their Masters' in Social Work. As they complete their practicum with Lifeline, they move closer to obtaining their MSW degree and, at the same time, our clients' lives are improved. It's a double win.

On Saturday April 28th, 13 members of the San Luis Rey Rotary Club came to Lifeline's Coastal Office ready to work. As a part of "Rotarian Beautification Day," they brought gardening supplies, a tiller, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves. After a long day and four separate dumpster pick-ups, the Rotarians left with a smile on their face.